Thread: Koraat razors

I don't think it actually matters what Ulrik actually does, because there will be some point during your ownership of that razor when it will need honing, as my two did, when they did I honed them using a tried and tested progression as used by many of the members of this forum would use, a Naniwa from 1K 3K 5K 8K and 12K then finished on a 20K, stropped on Linen and Leather will give you an edge equal to anything Koraat can deliver, don't get suckered in to thinking just because someone can make a great razor, it's doesn't mean they can also put a better edge on the razor than you, I assure they can't.

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

I don't think it actually matters what Ulrik actually does, because there will be some point during your ownership of that razor when it will need honing, as my two did, when they did I honed them using a tried and tested progression as used by many of the members of this forum would use, a Naniwa from 1K 3K 5K 8K and 12K then finished on a 20K, stropped on Linen and Leather will give you an edge equal to anything Koraat can deliver, don't get suckered in to thinking just because someone can make a great razor, it's doesn't mean they can also put a better edge on the razor than you, I assure they can't.

Thanks Jamie, much appreciated! Until a month ago I did the progression you just put down (Naniwa from 1K 3K 5K 8K and 12K then finished on a 20K), but now I'm doing the following and I my opinion the edge feels way more comfortable for me
Naniwa from 1K 3K 5K 8K --> Jnat Shobudani

I'm considering to buy a Jnat midrange stone, so I can move right away from the 1k to a Jnat(Mizukihara Awasedo)

Originally Posted by shadowman12

Thanks Jamie, much appreciated! Until a month ago I did the progression you just put down (Naniwa from 1K 3K 5K 8K and 12K then finished on a 20K), but now I'm doing the following and I my opinion the edge feels way more comfortable for me
Naniwa from 1K 3K 5K 8K --> Jnat Shobudani

I'm considering to buy a Jnat midrange stone, so I can move right away from the 1k to a Jnat(Mizukihara Awasedo)

I was hoping to get sharp and smooth results without investing in 7 stones. I hope there will be a solution.
But the last two posts have been very helpful in terms of spelling out progressions.

I wonder if one can get good results with 3K>8K>12K....and either stop there....or perhaps finish with a coticule.

Unfortunately Naniwa seems to have stopped making the combi stones in 3K/10K
Unless they are still available elsewhere and I missed it.

Originally Posted by Tester28

I was hoping to get sharp and smooth results without investing in 7 stones. I hope there will be a solution.
But the last two posts have been very helpful in terms of spelling out progressions.

I wonder if one can get good results with 3K>8K>12K....and either stop there....or perhaps finish with a coticule.

Unfortunately Naniwa seems to have stopped making the combi stones in 3K/10K
Unless they are still available elsewhere and I missed it.

If you need to reset bevels, you can get along fine with a 3K>8K>12K Naniwa progression. With the 3K it just takes longer to reset a badly damaged edge and is the only reason I added it to my progression. I use a Crox sprayed strop after the 12K Naniwa.

Yes, it does look like they discontinued the 3K-8K combination hone. IIRC a people were having trouble with them warping so that may be the reason they disappeared.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Yes, it does look like they discontinued the 3K-8K combination hone. IIRC a people were having trouble with them warping so that may be the reason they disappeared.

Bob

I can still find a 3K/8K combo...its the 3K/10K combo that I can't.

Originally Posted by Tester28

I was hoping to get sharp and smooth results without investing in 7 stones. I hope there will be a solution.
But the last two posts have been very helpful in terms of spelling out progressions.

I wonder if one can get good results with 3K>8K>12K....and either stop there....or perhaps finish with a coticule.

Unfortunately Naniwa seems to have stopped making the combi stones in 3K/10K
Unless they are still available elsewhere and I missed it.

Your progression wouls be fine, but finishing on coticule is not your answer. I have had over a dozen of them and have yet to have one better than a 12k. If you have a crox pasted strop, it will be hard to beat that. Master the synthetics, then tiptoe into naturals as they are a whole new animal. When you "think" you have it down, ask someone who you know is good on the stones to shave with a razor you have honed, then you will "know" if you can hone or "know" if you are just getting by on shaving with a mediocre edge.

That's excellent advice...I think I will abandon naturals for now and focus on the Naniwa
3/8/12 progression followed by Crox stropping.

Another tricky part I have to navigate is honing a smiling blade....Ulrik did mention using 'bow-like'
strokes....I just wonder if every stroke must be like this.

Originally Posted by Tester28

I can still find a 3K/8K combo...its the 3K/10K combo that I can't.

Never knew they made a 3K/10K combo much less saw one. Ta learn something new every day.

Bob

Originally Posted by Tester28

Another tricky part I have to navigate is honing a smiling blade....Ulrik did mention using 'bow-like'
strokes....I just wonder if every stroke must be like this.

I believe Ulrik is talking about a "rolling X stroke" to deal with a smiling blade. This is what the forum's library has to say about it https://shavelibrary.com/w/Rolling_X_stroke . You can also use the forum's search box, upper right of the page, an input "rolling X stroke" which I am sure will bring up plenty more info on it.

Bob

Originally Posted by Tester28

That's excellent advice...I think I will abandon naturals for now and focus on the Naniwa
3/8/12 progression followed by Crox stropping.

Another tricky part I have to navigate is honing a smiling blade....Ulrik did mention using 'bow-like'
strokes....I just wonder if every stroke must be like this.

You need to use rolling x-strokes. Lots of video on YouTube about those.